Ugotinfo Timely Tips

Kris Allen

2009-12-29T09:05:00.003-05:00

Kris Allen is the winner of American Idol in its 8th season. Adam Lambert was the runner up singer in the finale to the surprise of many of the viewers as reported by the media. Read more at http://www.krisallenofficial.com/us/home Ndhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kris_Allen

LaToya London

2009-02-08T06:33:00.004-05:00

I am an avid viewer of American Idol. Fantasia Barrino was the winner of American Idol the third season in 2004. I like Fantasia, however she was not my choice during the competition that year, I had voted for LaToya, because she won me over with every song.

Here ia a list of the songs that she sang in the competition
"All By Myself"
"Ain't Nobody"
"Ain't Goin' Down Til' The Sun Comes Up"
"Ooh Baby Baby"
"Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
"Somewhere"
"All The Time"
"Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"
"Don't Rain On My Parade"
"Too Close For Comfort"
"Don't Leave Me This Way"
"Love You Inside and Out"

I felt that Latoya outperformed everyone else. I was puzzled why a few of them were still in the competition and LaToya kept coming in behind. The following statement is from the Wikipedia

London was central to one of the first controversies of the show. On April 21, 2004, the night after the final seven contestants performed Barry Manilow songs, London, Jennifer Hudson, and eventual winner Fantasia Barrino shockingly ended up in the bottom three with the least viewer votes. Together, these three had been dubbed "The Three Divas" for their lush, commanding, and mature vocal capabilities and showstopping and critically acclaimed performances. London had the highest vote totals out of the three, and Hudson was ultimately eliminated. Because all three of the singers were African-American and the frontrunners of the competition, music icon Elton John deemed the voting as "racist," igniting a flurry of news and speculation over the validity of the voting system. John complained at a promotional news conference that, "The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be black, young female singers, and they all seem to be landing in the bottom three."

When LaToya was eliminated I was shocked and disappointed, the song that she song on her voted off exit convinced me that she was the best singer and the voting process had failed to declare her the winner. She sang "Don't Rain On My Parade" which I still have a vivid memory of her performance.

She is still continuing with her musical career, she performed in the stage musical "The Color Purple" She received great reviews ”American Idol finalist, Latoya London, gives a heart-tugging performance as "Nettie", Celie's sister who is forced to leave her. Ms. London's voice is a pristine, crystal clear soprano voice that brings magical beauty to her songs. Her chemistry with her co-star Bayardelle is both honest and touching, which at the end has the entire audience wiping away tears of joy.” - John Garcia, Pegagus News

She wrote 5 out of the 14 songs on her album. She worked with some
of the greatest producers in the business, i.e., Narada Michael Walden (who produced Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, to name a few), Barry Eastmon (Anita Baker, Aretha Franklin), Reed Vertelney (Luther Vandross), Rex Rideout Omar Edwards and Bradley Spalter.

See and hear her now on My Space

What Are American Idol Winners Doing Now?

2009-01-29T13:15:00.004-05:00

Kelly Clarkson

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As of this date the show 'American Idol' just entered its 8th season. Each year as 'American Idol' comes on, I reflect on the past singers to see if they are still in the entertainment business. The previous winners were Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks, and David Cook.

They are listed from season 1 with Kelly Clarkson to season 7 with David Cook.

Anxiety Disorders Are Real

2008-12-12T15:54:00.001-05:00

Anxiety Disorders Are Real

We’ve all felt anxious at one point or another; it’s a perfectly normal response to stress. Feeling fear and anxiety actually helps us to cope and accurately respond to stressful situations. However, people with anxiety disorders feel stress even if there is no trigger there to set it off. This can cause problems with their mental health, personal relationships, jobs, and physical health.

Not all anxiety disorders are the same; there are actually several different classes. Plus, just because someone has one disorder doesn’t mean they can’t have another, or at least have some overlapping symptoms. Here’s a basic overview of the broad types of anxiety disorders.

Generalized anxiety disorder - While its normal for people to worry occasionally about things when there are lots of stressors, people with generalized anxiety disorder tend to never stop worrying. They may be worried about finances even if they’re not tight, or constantly expecting bad things to happen even when they don’t. This constant stress can also lead to physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, trembling, twitching, hot flashes, sweating, and difficulty swallowing.

Panic disorder - Unlike generalized anxiety disorder, people with panic disorder don’t have anxiety all the time. Anxiety attacks hit suddenly and without warning or cause. A anxiety or panic attack is characterized by tight, pounding chest, terror, difficulty breathings, dizziness, shaking, nausea, numbness is extremities, chills or hot flashes, and a fear of losing control.

Social anxiety disorder - This is also known as social phobia and is an extreme fear of social interaction. People with this disorder are constantly worried about people judging them or about being embarrassed in front of people. For some people, the disorder is so severe they don’t participate in normal socializing activities and some are even mute in certain situations.

Post traumatic stress disorder - This diagnosis has become much more prevalent in the past few years. Often, people become ridden with anxiety after a traumatic event and constantly worry about similar situations happening again. For more severe cases, the person can be left unable to live their normal life again. While stressful events trigger the symptoms, not everyone in a similar situation will develop PTSD.

Obsessive compulsive disorder - This is an anxiety disorder that includes persistent unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and behaviors (compulsions). Someone may obsess over germs and then compulsively clean and sanitize. Compulsive behavior often includes rituals that must be done before a person can go on with their daily lives and activities.

The problem with some anxiety disorders is that many people don’t even realize they have them. If they’ve had the problem their whole life, it’s something they simply see as a normal part of life. Others will likely just see them as overprotective or simply a worry wart and just write it off. While it may just seem like an inconvenience, it can build into a real problem.

The good news is that these disorders are treatable. There are many new medications and therapies that can help you live a normal, healthy life.

Raw Milk and Pregnancy

2008-10-09T22:05:00.001-04:00

Here are the reasons why pregnant women should not ingest raw milk.

Raw milk that is not “clean” or does not go through the pasteurization process contains harmful bacteria such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli. It is estimated that pregnant women are more likely to develop listeriosis than healthier adults. This can be extremely harmful not only to the pregnant woman but the fetus as well.

For example, there is a domino effect which can cause a myriad of problems. According to doctors, there are hormonal changes in a pregnant woman which can affect the course of treatment. While medication may cure the illness, it may affect the unborn fetus. How? It can cause miscarriages, illness, and even death. Even if the newborn survives, the immune system in an infant is not fully developed and their illness can become even more pronounced which would require appropriate medications to treat the newborn. This is the domino effect.

While it is true that raw milk that is clean and acquired from a farmer whose practices are beyond repute can be utilized, there is always the possibility that the bacteria can cause severe illness in a pregnant woman, which in turn can affect the fetus. Although it is also true that the “good” bacterium in raw milk plays an important role in preventing diseases among children, it can have an opposite effect in women who are pregnant.

In addition, any foods that are made from raw milk, such as cheeses, can also be harmful to pregnant women. Some of the symptoms associated with drinking or eating foods derived from raw milk can include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and body aches.

There are a number of online blogs wherein women state they have been drinking raw milk during and after pregnancy. Some even swear by its benefits. They have not developed any illness from it and their babies are born healthy. In fact, some women state that raw milk is part of their family’s diet.

While the controversy surrounding the question of drinking raw milk during pregnancy will no doubt continue, since the data suggests that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing illness, one has to conclude that pregnant women should not drink raw milk.

Ugotinfo Timely Tips: Sleep Walking Tips

2008-08-12T20:00:00.000-04:00

Sleep Walking Tips

2008-08-12T18:15:00.007-04:00

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth Sle...

M. Adamo

18x24 Gicl...

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Sleepwalking is often parodied on television and in the movies, but when it happens in our own homes it can be rather scary. Estimates vary, but some say that as many as 17% of children and 10% of adults sleepwalk. So if it is happening to you or someone you love, you're certainly not alone.

Someone who gets up in the middle of the night and walks around in a dazed manner is probably sleepwalking. But that's not all that happens. Some sleepwalkers don't walk at all, but they sit up in bed and talk. Others get up and eat, feed pets, or go for a stroll outside.

In and of itself, sleepwalking is not a dangerous condition. It usually requires no treatment unless it is happening regularly. The most important concern is keeping the sleepwalker safe. Here are some of the do's and don'ts of dealing with a sleepwalker.

Do's

* Keep the windows and doors shut and locked. If you find that the sleepwalker is trying to open them, consider putting child locks on them. Even if you have an adult sleepwalker, he will probably be incapable of figuring them out while asleep.

* Put up safety gates. This is especially important at staircases. You could also block off a small area so that the sleepwalker can't go outside of it. But if the sleepwalker is a child, it's a good idea to provide access to the bathroom and your bedroom.

* Let the sleepwalker sleep on the ground floor if possible. This will make it even less likely that he will fall down the stairs or go out a high window.

* Get rid of clutter on the floor. Sleepwalkers are prone to tripping and falling, so it is important to eliminate items that present a danger as much as possible.

* Keep sharp, breakable, and otherwise dangerous items in a safe place. Lock them up in a cabinet, or put them far out of reach.

Don'ts

* Never let a sleepwalker sleep on the top bunk. He could attempt to step out of bed and fall to the floor, possibly resulting in severe injuries.

* Don't wake someone who is sleepwalking. This could frighten him terribly. Instead, talk to him in a soothing voice and lead him back to bed.

* Don't let the sleepwalker drink a lot of liquids in the evening. In some cases, a full bladder can be a contributing factor in sleepwalking episodes. Caffeine should also be avoided in the evening, because it can cause sleep disturbances, which may exacerbate the problem.

Sleepwalking isn't cause for alarm as long as the sleepwalker doesn't harm himself or others. If he does, or if sleepwalking occurs more than a couple of times a month, it might be time to get a doctor involved. But in most cases, simply maintaining a safe environment is preferable to medical treatment.

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Is There A Driving Difference Between Men And Women?

2008-08-03T12:12:00.003-04:00

Men have historically made joking degrading remarks about women drivers.
For years there has been an ongoing debate: who are the better drivers, men or women? While everyone has their own opinions and experiences, statistics show that men are significantly more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident. But why is this, and does is really mean that women are better at driving?

There are several factors that affect this difference in accident and death rates between the two sexes:

More miles. One of the biggest factors in men having more accidents is simple - they drive more. More miles means men are more likely to have an accident, no matter how well they drive. In fact, the number of women that die in motor vehicle accidents has been steadily rising as more women obtain licenses and drive more miles. However, more men than women still die in accidents even if you account for total miles driven.

Reckless behavior. Men, especially younger men, are more likely to participate in reckless driving behavior, such as speeding and driving while intoxicated. This greatly increases the chances of an accident, especially a fatal one. This is usually attributed to the fact that young men feel that they are invincible, and that the statistics just don’t apply to them.

Seat belts. Women are more likely than men to wear their seatbelt. Even if they had the same number of accidents, this would still mean that more men die in accidents, given seat belts have been proven to save lives.

It’s not just the number of accidents that are different between men and women; they also have different types of accidents. Women are generally involved in minor accidents that take place in traffic, particularly at intersections. Men are more likely to be involved in one-car accidents that are not in traffic.

The explanation for this is that while women may make silly mistakes, like missing a red light, men are more likely to crash because they are speeding, driving recklessly, or driving under the influence. This type of accident is more likely to be fatal. While the number or total accidents is becoming more equal for men and women, there are still more male fatalities.

For older people, there are fewer differences between men and women drivers, but this doesn’t apply for younger men and women. While young women exhibit driving behavior similar to older people, young men participate in more reckless behavior. That is why insurance rates for adult males and females are often the same, while insurance rates for males under twenty-five are much higher than rates for females of the same age.

While gender can be a good indicator of driving habits, the person matters more. There are many teen boys who are perfectly safe drivers, and many older women who have frequent accidents and display very risky driving behavior.

Time Saving Tips for Moms

2008-06-18T16:13:00.002-04:00

Time is a precious commodity and those who learn to use theirs wisely will always be ahead of the game. First the bad news, the one thing you can’t do is add more hours to your day. No matter what, it’s just not going to happen. The good news, you can do certain things to make every precious minute count and in turn leave you with more free time.

Plan ahead – Don’t go anywhere without a list. Especially if you have the kids with you, you’re more likely to forget something without a list. So, don’t go on your errand run or shopping trip without a list. Also try to go shopping in the evenings when there are less people in the store. Why waste an hour fighting the crowds when you can be done in 30 minutes. Better yet, do your shopping online.

Meal Plan – Plan meals for the upcoming week and write your shopping list according to the meals. Make sure you stick the meal plan on the fridge so you can know what foods need to be thawed daily, etc. This will save you a lot of time and money.

Buy in Bulk – If you have the space plan ahead and buy things in bulk. You’ll save money and precious time by not having to go to the supermarket so often.

Pay Your Bills Electronically – If you can do this then you should. You will save a lot of time by not having to write out and mail checks. If you really can’t or choose not to do this, then set up a work station and keep your checkbook, stamp, envelopes, pens close at hand. You can also have a calendar with all your important dates and appointments written on there. Go a step further and have an inbox for mail and papers that need to be files. You’ll never waste time looking for these things again.

Don’t Let The Housework Pile Up – There’s nothing worst than spending your weekends cleaning. If you do a little bit each day you won’t ever need to spend a whole day cleaning. For example, do a load of laundry daily rather than letting it all pile up for Saturday, same thing with the vacuuming and other tasks. Once the weekend comes around the house should be fairly organized. You may just have to give the bathroom and kitchen a good clean, leaving you with plenty of time to enjoy your family.

Organize Your Life – Spend a little time organizing your house, the time spent doing this will save you a lot of time and hassle in return. Have a set place for everything. For example, have a place near the front door where you can hang your keys and purse. Don’t forget items like umbrellas, hats, gloves and scarves for those rainy or cold days. Set up storage for the kids toys or all magazines and books.

Dad and Baby Bonding Time – An Important Ritual

2008-06-03T20:29:00.002-04:00

A lot of first-time dads feel a little awkward when it comes to spending time with their new baby. Often times, dad seems to get pushed a little to the side while mom and baby take center stage. It’s hard for a dad to know what to do in this situation and sometimes it may seem he’s not too interested in the new baby but may just be experiencing a case of anxiety or not know what to do.

You can help build up your partner’s confidence by slowly allowing him to do more things for the baby or simply let dad and baby spend quality uninterrupted time together. And unless your baby is in harm try not to interfere when your husband does something a little differently than you may. This will chip at his confidence as a new father.

Here are a few activities Daddy and Baby can share together:

Bath Time – Let your husband bathe the baby. This is a great time for dad and baby to bond and will give you some much needed rest too.

Feeding – If you’re nursing this will be a little difficult especially if you don’t want baby to have a bottle. If you don’t mind you can always try extracting one bottle a day and letting dad do the evening feed or as soon as baby is ready for solids let dad get involved then. If you’re bottle feeding take turns during the night time feeds.

Diaper Changing – You probably won’t mind if your partner helps with this one. It’s also a great way for dad to gain confidence in caring and looking after baby.

Sofa Time – Have you noticed dads love to lounge on their sofas with their kids. Give your husband some time to watch the game or listen to music while laying with baby on the sofa. This can make for great bonding time and will give you some free time for a quick nap or bath.

Going for Walks – Some new moms may feel a little nervous when their husbands go out alone with baby, but you should trust that your partner will care for your child just as well as you would. Taking baby for a walk will give him added confidence in his parenting skills. He’ll be out on his own and ultimately responsible for all of baby’s needs.

Just about anytime when your husband and baby can get some free time together will help build and establish the very important dad and baby bond. Try to encourage your partner and praise his parenting skills. Newborns don’t come with instruction manuals and it’s normal to make little mistakes here and there, so don’t let your partner become discouraged if he does make a mistake.

Above all, be happy that your husband and baby are spending quality time together. This will also give you a well deserved break.

Household Tips

2008-01-20T07:18:00.000-05:00

These tips are being circulated on the internet, I received them in my email

Subject: Great Tips!

PLEASE BE SURE YOU READ THE LAST ONE ABOUT THE CLOTHES DRYER!!!!!! GREAT TIPS:

1. Reheat Pizza

Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove , set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.

2. Easy Deviled Eggs

Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal , mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients , reseal , keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly , cut the tip of the baggy , squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up

3. Expanding Frosting

When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store , whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

4. Reheating refrigerated bread

To warm biscuits , pancakes , or muffins that were refrigerated , place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.

5. Newspaper weeds away

Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6. Broken Glass

Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

7. No More Mosquitoes

Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.

8. Squirrel Away!

To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

9. Flexible vacuum

To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

10. Reducing Static Cling

Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.

11. Measuring Cups

Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

12. Foggy Windshield?

Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

13. Reopening envelope

If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside , just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.

14. Conditioner

Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair...

15. Goodbye Fruit Flies

To get rid of pesky fruit flies , take a small glass fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid , mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants

Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it , take it 'home', can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains , but it works &you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS

The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. WELL...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film , but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free - that nice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also

what causes dryer units to catch fire &potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out &wash it with hot soapy water &an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long!

How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So , I thought I'd share!

Note: I went to my dryer &tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water &a nylon brush &I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it the water ran right Thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

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Six Acne Treatment Solutions

2008-01-16T13:46:00.000-05:00

Acne treatments have come a long way over the years. Once limited to precious few options that were sometimes ineffective, acne sufferers now have numerous treatment choices. Some treatments can be obtained from the family doctor, some require a dermatologist's expertise, and some can be purchased at your local discount store or herb shop. Here are six of the most popular acne treatments available:

1. Retin-A

Those who primarily suffer from persistent blackheads and whiteheads can often benefit from Retin-A. Retin-A is derived from Vitamin A and promotes the shedding of material that clogs pores and causes blackheads and whiteheads.

Retin-A often causes irritation and flaky skin, and it usually takes several weeks before patients can see a difference. Those using the drug are advised to use a moisturizer regularly and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.

2. Antibiotics

Some doctors and dermatologists begin acne treatment with antibiotics. These are either taken orally or applied topically. The antibiotics work by decreasing the number of acne-causing bacteria in the skin and reducing the amount of fatty acids in the sebum.

The downside to antibiotics is that they can also kill the good bacteria that our bodies need to stay healthy. They are also associated with the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These problems are somewhat less prevalent with topical antibiotics than with oral ones.

3. Photodynamic Therapy

One of the newer techniques in acne treatment is photodynamic therapy, also known as blue light therapy. Previously used to treat cancer and other diseases and ailments, it has also been found to be an effective alternative to systemic antibiotics in the treatment of moderate to severe acne.

Photodynamic therapy is conducted as a series of three to five treatments, with two to four weeks between treatments. It is not usually covered by insurance.

4. Tea Tree Oil

One of the most effective home remedies for acne is tea tree oil. It is used by diluting and dabbing it directly onto acne lesions. Tea tree oil is known for its antibacterial properties, and that is thought to be the reason why it is so effective against acne.

5. Garlic

Garlic is another natural antibiotic, and it can be used in a variety of ways against acne. You can cleanse the skin with a solution of one part garlic juice to three parts garlic, rub raw garlic on lesions, or take it internally. The key is to use fresh garlic, because it loses its effectiveness a short time after it is skinned.

6. Vitamins

Vitamins are good for overall health, and they can be a powerful weapon in the fight against acne. B Vitamins are especially beneficial, because they fight acne in several different ways. Vitamins A, C, E, and the minerals chromium and zinc are also great.

There are vitamins available in health food stores specifically for acne sufferers, but the best way to get these vitamins is to include them in our diets.

There are more options for acne sufferers than ever before. Whether you prefer traditional treatments, non-drug therapy or natural remedies, acne can be treated effectively.

Tips On 5 Smoothies A Day

2008-01-15T21:09:00.000-05:00

Smoothies – A Great Way to get 5 a Day

We all know the importance of eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, with our busy lifestyles it's not always so easy. That's where smoothies come in. Delicious and nutritious smoothies can be a mom's secret weapon to ensuring your kids get enough fruit in their diets.

Here are some yummy smoothie combinations that are great for breakfast or any time of the day. Simply throw all ingredients in the blender and blend on high for 1 to 2 minutes.

Bananarama – 1 banana, 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, dash of milk

Mango Mania – 1 mango (cut and pitted), 1/4 cup orange juice

Peach Medley – 1 peach (cut and pitted), 1 banana, 1/4 cup orange juice

Berry Surprise – 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/4 cup blueberries, 1/4 cup raspberries, ¼ cup of milk

Strawberry Ice – 1 cup strawberries, 1 cup orange juice, I cup crushed ice

Honey melon – 1 cup chopped honey dew lemon pieces, 1/4 cup apple juice, tablespoon honey.

Banana Boost – 1 banana, 1/4 shredded wheat cereal (or other high fiber cereal), 1/4 cup milk. A great way to get extra fiber and vitamins into your child's diet.

And if it's hot outside why not try smoothie popsicles. They may a great alternative to sugary ice cream and are a delicious summer treat. For a creamier consistency try adding 1/4 cup yogurt of your choice to the recipes above and pour the smoothie mixture into popsicle molds. If you don't have popsicle molds you can use paper cups or even ice cube trays. Fill cups or tray and when half frozen and slushy like insert popsicle stick and leave until fully frozen.

You don't have to stick the recipes above, just about any of your favorite fruit combinations will taste delicious in a homemade smoothie. It's also a great way to let kids get involved in the kitchen. Let them choose their favorite fruits and let them help you peel and chop them up (according to their age of course). They can also pour liquid ingredients into measuring cups.

Smoothies are not only a great way to get your kids to eat more fruit. They're also easy to prepare and best of all delicious.

Tips for Creating a Fall Fitness Plan

2007-11-12T20:03:00.000-05:00

Ah, the fall season! No more blistering heat to contend with, air conditioning and sleepless nights. Instead there is the changing of the leaves, the fuzzy warm feeling we get on a cold night and waking up to brisk fresh air and exercise. Yes, now is the time to prepare a fall fitness plan.

If just beginning a diet and exercise program, you are in luck because the time is ripe and the weather is perfect to begin enjoying the outdoors more frequently. Use this time to set up a regimen that you will stick to and are comfortable with.

Since the kids have returned to school, many have a bit more time to concentrate on themselves and what they need. Therefore, here are some tips to help prepare for an exercise plan that will keep you fit, healthy and happy.

If you have not joined a gym, you may want to consider it now. If you do belong to one, renew the membership. Ask a friend if he or she would like to join also.

Schedule a routine after dropping the kids off at school. Walking with other moms for 30 minutes, three times a week would be a great start. Smaller children at home can go along in a stroller that is conducive to a brisk walk. Having other moms come along makes the exercise experience more enjoyable.

Not able to get out as often as a brisk walking regime may require, then take out the workout DVDs. Participate in the exercises every other day. Take walks after dinner at night.

Call upon a few neighbors or friends and ask if they would like to join in an exercise program. Sit down together and make a schedule that is good for everyone.

More importantly, make out a schedule that can be lived with and that will allow the time needed to exercise on a continual basis. Enlist the aid of family members or friends to help with baby-sitting if necessary.

The fall is the perfect time of year to commence an exercise program. Be sure to have good walking and/or running shoes and comfortable jogging suits.

5 Tips for Preventing Osteoporosis

2007-09-16T19:36:00.001-04:00

When bones get old, they tend to become less dense, weakening their structure. These weak bones begin to get tiny fractures. Because of their size, one of these fractures isn’t really a problem; however, if your bones are fragile enough for you to have osteoporosis, you will have many of these tiny fractures. In the end, they add up to a big problem.

The thing to know is that most osteoporosis cases are preventable. By following a few tips, you can keep your bones strong and dense, keeping you healthy for a long time.

* Get plenty of calcium. Calcium is the building block of bones. If we’re short on calcium, then we can’t make our bones as dense and strong. You can get calcium through milk and yogurt, but also from green leafy vegetables and various soy products. If need be, you can also take a calcium supplement.
* Get other essential nutrients. Calcium is actually no good if you don’t have Vitamin D, which allows you to absorb the calcium. During the summer, the best source of Vitamin D is the sun. During the winter you can try tanning beds, or try fortified products like Vitamin D milk and certain breakfast cereals. Other nutrients that are essential to keeping your bones strong are: Vitamin K, phosphorous, Vitamin C, magnesium, copper, manganese, zinc, iron, boron, and , protein. Unless you eat the world’s healthiest diet, it’s best to start taking a daily multivitamin.
* Perform weight bearing exercise. You don’t need to start a weight training regimen at the gym. In fact, most women can get the appropriate amount of exercise simply by walking (you’re “bearing” your body weight). Getting up and moving for a few minutes every day is important for keeping bones strong. If you can exercise more, you should do so. Exercise is important for maintaining a healthy weight, another good way to keep osteoporosis away. Just remember, losing too much weight is a good way to lose bone mass as well.
* Drop bad habits. While having the occasional drink has actually been shown to improve the condition of your bones, you start to cause damage if you drink alcohol excessively. Smoking can also cause an increased fracture risk. Plus, quitting smoking is a good healthy choice all around.
* Start Early. Most women wait until the first signs of menopause to start worrying about osteoporosis prevention. While menopause is when bones start to deteriorate faster, if you have weak bones to begin with, adding preventative measure may not do a whole lot of good. You should take the steps above as early as possible, and pass them on to your daughters too.

The best part about taking these smalls steps is that they’ll also help prevent other conditions besides osteoporosis. In no time, you’ll be well on your way to a healthier, happier life.

Why Exercise is Important for Seniors

2007-08-07T04:33:00.000-04:00

Why Exercise is Important for Seniors

To live an active, healthy lifestyle, as a young child or into your 90’s, you need to get proper exercise. While many seniors stop exercising due to various physical constraints, it is actually more important for older people to get regular workouts. It’s also important that these workouts encompass the 4 different types of exercise seniors need. They include: strength training, endurance exercises, flexibility exercises, and balance exercises.

Strength training
As we age, our bodies begin to lose bone and muscle mass. Loss of bone mass increases the risk for osteoporosis and larger, more serious breaks. Loss of muscles mass makes us weaker, slower, and less able to do things. A great way to prevent and perhaps even reverse some of the damage is to do regular strength training exercises. This doesn’t have to involve big fancy equipment; you can use resistance bands or things you have around the house. Just be sure to follow proper form to prevent injury.

Endurance exercises
While some seniors find it easy to walk, run, or do other strenuous activities for a long period of time; others find they have difficulty just walking down the hallway. For both types of people, it is important to participate in exercises that maintain or increase your endurance and stamina. This could include walking, using cardio equipment, or even doing some gardening during the spring and summer. Anything that makes you move and gets your blood pumping is good. Aim for 30 minutes a day at least 3 to 4 days a week. With regular exercise, you’ll find you can walk farther and faster, and do more during the day.

Flexibility exercises
You may find it harder to do things now that were easy for you when you were younger. Much of this is because our bodies lose their flexibility and become much more rigid. Even the simple act of walking or opening a door may become a challenge. You can combat this problem by pushing your flexibility. These exercises can range from yoga to simple daily stretches; just as long as you keep stretching and moving your muscles and the rest of your body.

Balance
Nothing can be more devastating to an older person than a serious injury, such as breaking a hip or dislocating a shoulder. Many seniors who have a major accident never recover. That’s why it’s important to exercise muscles to improve balance. Yoga, Pilates, and anything else that helps strengthen your core muscles can be helpful.

Even young people need to rest between workouts. This is even more important for seniors. The body needs time to rest and heal itself. Without proper rest, you risk causing an injury. You shouldn’t push yourself too hard with any exercise and remember to take time off between workouts.

When starting any exercise program, you should consult your doctor first. They can tell you if the exercises you choose are right for your body and may suggest something more appropriate.

Whether you’re already fit or have never worked out before, today is the day to go get some exercise.

3 Herbal Teas and How they Benefit Your Health

2007-04-15T11:10:00.000-04:00

3 Herbal Teas and How they Benefit Your Health

While herbal remedies have been used in some cultures for centuries, other societies have just begun to accept their benefits. Even now, some people still rely on modern medicine for problems that can be treated effectively with an herbal remedy because they are leery about them. A great way to get the benefits of herbs without taking supplements is to brew them into a tea. You then get the benefits along with a great tasting drink. Here are three great herbal teas and what they can do to help you.

Valerian Tea
Valerian has been used for centuries to help with a whole host of medical problems. Most recently it has been used to calm nerves and even soothe severe anxiety and restlessness. It is a great tea to enjoy at the end of the day when you want to unwind and relax. Because it acts as a sedative, Valerian is often used to cure insomnia and get a restful night’s sleep. It is commonly used to help with cramps and digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome.

You should also be wary of continued use because it can become addictive and produce withdrawal symptoms if you stop using it.

When making Valerian tea, do not use boiling water. You can decrease its potency; just use hot water.

Echinacea
Want to be able to strengthen your immune system and better fight off viruses like that flu? Or course you do. That’s why you should try to drink Echinacea tea regularly. This tea stimulates your t cells and helps boost interferon production; both essential parts of immune functioning

A few people may be allergic to Echinacea, so if you experience any signs of an allergic reaction or an asthma attack, see a doctor immediately.

Hawthorn
If you’re looking for a natural, effective way to help improve your heart function and circulation, you should try hawthorn tea. This herb has been known to help the heart, relieve blood pressure problems, lower cholesterol, and improve circulation. It’s also an antioxidant which means it helps prevent cancer and improves overall health.

Before drinking herbal teas, taking herbal supplements, or taking any medications, you should talk to your doctor. Herbs can have side effects, complications, and drug interactions; just like prescription meds. You doctor will be able to tell you if it’s safe for you to use certain herbs or not.

If used properly, herbal teas can be a great way to naturally improve your health and help you live a happier life. If you benefit from these teas, there are many other options that you can try to maintain good health.

Adding Exercise to Your Arthritis Treatment

2007-03-22T20:09:00.000-04:00

Adding Exercise to Your Arthritis Treatment

Arthritis is an ailment which affects millions of people. While some people may experience mild discomfort, others are in horrible and debilitating pain every single day. No matter how mild or severe your pain is, you can probably benefit from some exercise. Not only will it improve your overall health, it may also help combat some of your symptoms, leaving you pain free and help you with your symptoms.

We all know the importance of exercise, but arthritis patients will probably benefit more from strength straining exercises targeting their affected joints. The best way to get this kind of workout is through a physical therapist. They can provide you with exercises designed specifically to improve endurance, and muscle strength. If you perform these exercises as prescribed, you will probably find yourself feeling better, or at least not deteriorating as quickly. You may be able to do more, or your condition may simply worsen more slowly. You can’t reverse the damage arthritis as caused, but you may be able to improve your quality of life.

Another type of exercise your physical therapist will probably recommend is flexibility training. Many arthritis patients lose flexibility and range-of-motion in affected joints because pain is causing them to use the joint less. Flexibility exercises can help keep the joints limber, enabling a better range or motion and increasing how much you can do with that joint.

A good cardio workout is just as important for people with arthritis as it is for everyone else. However, unlike everyone else, people with arthritis don’t skip aerobic exercise because they’re busy, or tired, it’s because they’re in pain. If performing everyday activities is painful, then you probably don’t want to consider doing anything more than that; however, there are exercises you can do to work your heart without severe pain or a worsening of your condition. You should work with your doctor to find exercises that don’t stress, or even involve, the affected joints. For instance, patients with severe knee arthritis can get aerobic exercise with table top bike-like devices which you pedal with your hands. While this doesn’t help your affected joints directly, it improves your overall health, endurance, stamina, and circulation, which can improve your ability to handle your arthritis. Exercise can also temporarily relieve pain through chemicals in the blood.

While exercise isn’t going to cure your arthritis, it may help to improve your condition. To work properly, exercise should be combined with proper diet, getting enough rest, medication, and other treatments your doctor may recommend. A combination of these therapies goes a long way for reliving arthritis pain.

Living on one income

2007-03-13T21:49:00.000-04:00

Living on one income Part 1 - Setting a Clear Budget

There are lots of reasons why families have to live on one income, a new baby, single parent, husband loses his job or simply because one of you wants to spend more time with your children. Whatever your situation is, living on one income can mean it’s time to cut back, or it can mean that now is the opportunity to slice your spending in half by making a few clever budget changes.

To start at the very basics it is absolutely essential to look at your cash flow, what money is coming in and what money is going out. The first part should be easy, simply list every penny of income you receive on a regular basis every month. This might be before you give up a second income to see if you can afford it, or this may be your single income that you are living on now.

Then comes the slightly harder part of listing everything that you are committed to spending on every month, this includes your mortgage, car payments, loans, utility bills like electricity, cable and water. Make a full list of everything that you absolutely must pay for every month.

You should add a realistic amount for food and other essentials such as diapers for your little ones or any other costs that you have to pay on a regular basis. These are your essential monthly costs.

Then simply take away your monthly costs from your monthly income. The difference between these two amounts is you disposable cash or how much you have to spend on everything else. Of course this amount might actually be negative and this is actually more often the situation for many families where you suddenly realize you can’t afford your living.

But don’t worry because there are lots of things you can do to reduce the costs. The first place to start is on the list of items that you made for you essential monthly costs.

We all usually have a long list of essential monthly costs so if you can reduce each one by ten dollars here and twenty dollars there and it will eventually all add up to make a significant difference.

Saving Money Tips For Your Family

2007-03-03T15:48:00.000-05:00

Family Money Saving Tips

Every family should have a budget, no matter what their financial status is. A budget tells you exactly how much your have coming in, and how much goes out on a monthly basis for the absolute necessities like housing, food, utilities, insurance, transportation and health care. But what about the future?

That's another place where a budget comes in handy. When you've allotted a portion of the household's weekly income to the necessities, what's left over is your discretionary spending amount. These are the funds available to you for short-term expenses, or long-term investments, like your children's education, and your own retirement funds.

When the children are growing and requiring more in the way of expenditures, there might not be a lot left over. But even 5% of your income can be a healthy start on an education fund. Extras like bonuses or perhaps half the amount of a raise, will make those future savings grow. Since they aren't in the budget to start with, they won't be missed, and you'll still have a portion of the unexpected income to add to your regular budget.

Consider financial counseling at your banking institution, or from a professional. They are often the best sources for learning how to get the most out of the dollars you have to save, and the most out of the future benefits they are going to earn for you.

Useful Water Facts

2007-01-17T19:06:00.000-05:00

Hi Reader,

I have been very much interested in the effects of water and its purpose in our lives. The following is an article disclosing many interesting facts.
This is a free video that you can view for additional mind blowing information
Find out how to increase good body health with water and increase your income

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Interesting and Useful Water Facts
By Pramod Kumar

1. Normally, a human body carries 70 percent water as its weight. An infant’s body weight comprises about 80 percent of water.

2. A healthy adult can consume around three gallons of water per day.

3. We should not drink water quickly because it can further cause water intoxication. Water intoxication occurs when water weakens the sodium level in the bloodstream and causes an unevenness of water in the brain. During the periods of intense athletic performance, the situation of water intoxication occurs.

4. Normally, a human body’s daily water requirement is eight cups per day. You can also get enough water from every food or drink item provides some water to the body. The purest form of water has a neutral pH of 7, which is neither basic nor important.

5. Cold drinks and other beverages such as coffee, and tea carry only water with caffeine. Caffeine is a gentle diuretic that prevents water movement to necessary locations in the body.

6. The amount of fresh water stored in artesian basin is much more than the level of water present on the earth’s surface.

7. The amount of water that existed on the earth millions of years ago is still present today as the earth has a system similar to a terrarium which means that it rarely loses or gains extra matter. The total amount of water on the earth is calculated at around 326 million cubic miles of water.

8. Human beings can use about three tenths of a percent of the total water present on the Earth in the form of groundwater aquifers, rivers, and freshwater lakes.

9. Water has the capacity to dissolve more substances than any other liquid.

10. An average person loses over 1 percent of its total water amount when he/she feel thirsty. The weight a person loses directly after intense physical activity is weight from water, not fat.

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Author is an experienced SEO, having a good knowledge of water filter industry with a fair of creative writing. He also has written many articles on different topics. For more information, you can contact him at: seopramod@gmail.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pramod_Kumar

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